Bikers like bikes. Indians like cheap stuff. So it adds up that Indian Bikers will like cheap bikes. Understanding that sentiment, Harley Davidson announced plans to launch the Harley Street 750, the cheapest Harley to hit the Indian streets yet. The bike would be priced somewhere in the 4-5 Lakhs region, and did we mention its the cheapest Harley yet!!!
The new Harley In Town
The Harley Street 750 will be officially unveiled at the Indian Biking Weekend(IBW) 2014, Goa. If you haven’t heard, IBW is the more cooler and biker version of the Indian Auto Expo and is taking place from 17th Jan- 18th Jan 2014 in the party capital Goa. Whats more, we at Riderzone are even giving out free passes to the event, which you can check out and win.
OK, shameless self promotion aside, lets come back to the Harley Street 750. The latest addition to the Harley gallery of superbikes, the Harley Street 750 boasts a 750cc engine, is liquid cooled and is complemented by a 6-speed gearbox. The bike is decidedly smaller than other Harley’s, but it looks an Harley every inch. Just look at that massive black V-Twin and that dual exhaust pipe.
I mean just look at that exhaust
The bike itself will be officially available for sale at the Indian Auto Expo 2014. We do know however that the bike would be manufactured locally (in India), which no doubt contributes to the price drop of the machine. While Harley have avoided quoting an actual price, expect them to put out an exact figure at IBW. And if they are too drunk to do that in Goa, then at the Auto Expo in Delhi. We know; that ain’t a lot, but that’s the best we got.
Another look at the 750. Cause 3 times is a charm
Initially, if the rumors are to be believed, Harley had planned to launch a 500cc version of the Harley Street too. The plans for that bike however seems to be cancelled or at least delayed. We at Riderzone think that Harley is just testing the market and see how cheaper Harleys sell. If they see its working, they would launch the 500cc; or if people tend to stick to the premier models of the company, they just might keep the 500 on the shelf. With Bajaj, Royal Enfield and Triumph breathing down Harleys neck, this seems like a good plan.
What do you think of the brand new Harley Street 750. Do you think a cheaper Harley will make the brand more accessible. Or will the move just dilute the brand value of Harley. And does launching a bike in the 4-5 INR Lakhs price range really justify the tag of an ‘Affordable Harley’. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Hey Motorbeam has done a First Ride review of the Street 750. They claim the bike is low in terms of quality. Wires popping out, non-existent pillion seat, imperfect welds, bad tyres, inadequate brakes to name a few.
That’s not what I saw Reeto, but then I didn’t ride the bike. It is possible that the piece these guys got had trouble.